Utility retainer

ABSTRACT

A buckle or other article of apparel adapted to hold small articles on the buckle or other article of apparel for the convenience of the wearer.

RELATED INVENTIONS

This application is entitled to and hereby claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Ser. Nos. 60/701,132 filed Jul. 22, 2005 and 60/814,485 filed Jun. 19, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a buckle or other article of apparel adapted to magnetically hold small articles on the buckle or other article of apparel for the convenience of the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many buckles are relatively large, especially for western-type buckles. In such buckles and in many others, the buckle design generally comprises a plate which has a means for connecting a belt to a first end with the other end of the belt being drawn snugly about the wearer and fastened on a retainer at the other end of the plate. The front plate of the belt is typically adorned with ornaments, which may represent animals, flowers, or the like.

Other articles of apparel as well as buckles frequently include ornamental and in some instances useful small articles. It would be desirable to be able to conveniently change the ornaments and useful small articles on such articles of apparel for other ornaments and small articles. These ornaments, while they may be aesthetically pleasing, do not serve a useful purpose on the buckle. Accordingly, attempts have been made to develop a method for using the buckle surface to serve a useful purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a buckle comprising: a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; a connector for connecting a first end of a belt to the first end of or the back of the plate near the first end of the plate; a retainer for connecting a second end of a belt to the plate and positioned on the back of the plate near the second end of the plate; and, at least one receptacle positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive at least one magnetized member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate. Alternatively the belt may bear the magnetized member with at least one receptacle positioned in the article.

The present invention further comprises articles of apparel and other household, auto or other outdoor items comprising a plate having a first end, a second end, a top and a bottom, a front and a back, a width and a central section, at least one receptacle positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive at least one magnetized member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate. Alternatively the receptacle may be positioned in the article to be supported with at least one magnetized member being positioned on the plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention also comprises articles such as a professional bottle opener which includes a magnetized member adapted to retain the articles on a plate.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a buckle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the buckle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3. is a view of the receptacle of the present invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 discloses a variation of the present invention;

FIG. 5 discloses an embodiment of the present invention wherein an article is maintained in position on the front of a buckle;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment shown in side view in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a further embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the discussion of the Figures, the same numbers will be used throughout to refer to the same or similar components. Further, the invention will be discussed by reference to a buckle but is also useful in the same way with other articles of apparel and other household, auto or other outdoor items.

In FIG. 1 a buckle 10 according to the present invention is shown. The buckle comprises a plate 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16, a bottom 18 and a top 20. The buckle also has a front 22 and a back 24 (shown in FIG. 2). The plate has a width 26 and a length 28. Typically the length and width may be widely varied dependent upon the taste and objectives of the wearer. For large western-style buckles, the width may be from about 1 to about 3 inches, with the length being from about 1 to about 7 inches. For smaller buckles, which may be better adapted to women's attire, the width may be from about 1 to about 2 inches, with the length being from about 1 to about 7 inches. Wide variations are possible within the scope of the present invention.

The plate also includes a central section 30, as shown, which is an area having a top edge A and a bottom edge B separated by a distance up to about 60 percent of the width of the plate and having a first side edge C and a second side edge D separated by a distance up to about 60 percent the length of the plate. The central section is shown by dotted line 30 in FIG. 1. Desirably the plate is slightly curved to accommodate the bodily contours of wearers.

The plate may include ornaments 32 if desired. Ornaments are not typically used with the plate if they are in areas which would be covered by articles to be magnetically held on the plate.

Plate 12 also includes a receptacle 34 which may include a bevel 36 about its end at the front of plate 12. In FIG. 1, a belt 38 is shown in use with the buckle.

In FIG. 2, a side view of the buckle shown in FIG. 1 is disclosed. Receptacle 34 with bevels 36 is shown centrally in plate 12. A backing material 40 is attached to a back 24 of plate 12. Backing materials 40 may be attached adhesively, by gluing, taping, welding, soldering or any other suitable method for joining material 40 to the plate. In this embodiment, backing material 40 includes a loop 48, which is engaged by belt 38 with belt 38 being then engaged by snaps 42, as known to the art, to fasten one end of the belt 38 to the first end of the buckle. Plate 12 typically has a thickness from about from about 0.01 to about 0.25 inches, as shown by arrows 44. Backing member 40 typically has a thickness from about 0.01 to about 0.25 inches, as shown by arrows 46.

At the opposite end of backing member 40 from loop 48, a hook 50 is located to engage the other end of belt 38. Hook 50 may be a hook-like appendage which is positioned to engage holes in belt 38. It may be a clip-like member configured to engage a loop positioned on the end of belt 38 or the like. Typically, if a loop is used on the end of belt 38, the belt is adjustable with respect to the length of belt 38 so that the clip engages belt 38 around the wearer at a desired tightness.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, plate 12 is not of magnetic material, although it could be of magnetic material if desired. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, backing member 40 is fabricated of a magnetic material.

In FIG. 3, receptacle 34 is shown. Receptacle 34, as shown, is a square having sides of a width from about 0.12 to about 0.5 inches, as shown by arrows 56. A portion of receptacle 34 is formed by straight walls, which are generally perpendicular to the surface of plate 12. Typically, a beveled section 36 is positioned near the top 52 of the receptacle near the surface of plate 12, around receptacle 34. This facilitates the positioning of a magnetized member into receptacle 34.

In FIG. 4, a backing material 40 is positioned on the back of plate 12 with receptacle 34 containing a punched hole through plate 12 so that magnetized member 62 engages magnetic backing member 40. An article 66 is press fit, glued or otherwise affixed to magnetized member 62 and maintained in position on the front of plate 12.

In FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention wherein a front plate 12 is magnetized as shown. In this embodiment, a slot 64 is shown for affixing an end of belt 38 to the buckle. The hook or clip 50 positioned on the second end of the plate is as described previously. In this embodiment, the receptacle has been punched through plate 12 with the deformed metal being left as shown at 68 to maintain a bottom 54 of receptacle 34 in place to function as a bottom for magnetized member 62. Magnetized member 62 is affixed to an article 66, which is held in place on the surface of plate 12.

In FIG. 6, an embodiment is shown wherein an opener is maintained in position on plate 12, as shown by magnetized member 62, which is affixed to the can opener 66. While not shown in this FIG, the lower portion of the magnetized member extends into receptacle 34. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the loop for affixing belt 38 to the buckle is shown as a loop 48 formed by removing metal from a portion of the end of plate 12 to form a loop which can be bent downwardly to form a loop to engage belt 38.

In FIG. 7, a magnetized member 62 is shown positioned through a plate 12 in engagement with a section 70 fabricated of magnetic material and positioned beneath receptacle 34. The remaining portions of backing member 40 may be of plastic or other non-magnetic materials with simply a section of magnetic material fabricated as a portion of backing member 40 and positioned beneath receptacle 34. In this embodiment, further a swivel 72 is shown attached to magnetized member 62. A flashlight 74, which emits a light 76, is shown attached to magnetized member 62 via swivel 72. If desired, rotary members may be placed on the plate, either by a magnetic connection to the plate or by a suitable rotary connection to the magnetized member.

As described above, plate 12, the backing material, or both, can be magnetic. It is preferred that a non-magnetic plate be used with a magnetic backing material since it is somewhat easier to insert the magnetized member into receptacle 34 in this embodiment. The bevel shown on receptacle 34 also facilitates the positioning of the magnetized member into the receptacle.

A variety of physical configurations can be used for the buckle of the present invention. In many such embodiments, however, the receptacle is positioned in a generally centralized section, as described above, with the magnetized member being used to retain articles on the front of the buckle. The receptacle could be positioned in any position on the buckle. For instance, as shown, a bottle opener can readily be retained; small articles such as pocket knives, keys, cell phone, small audio players, ear plugs and lines for audio players and the like may also be retained on the front of plate 12 as desired. In other respects, the belt functions as a conventional belt, as presently used. By the added feature, however, the front plate of the buckle is used to position relatively small articles on the front of the buckle for convenient access and use as desired.

The magnetized material, the magnetic material, and the non-magnetic material may be ferrous compounds with the non-magnetic material being a material such as metals, plastics, or other materials. The use of such materials is well-known. Further the non-magnetic portions of the backing member 40, as shown in FIG. 7, may be of any suitable materials such as a plastic, non-magnetic metals or the like.

The articles which can be retained on the front of the buckle are too numerous to mention and include any relatively small article which can be retained magnetically to the surface. This requires that the article retained either be affixed to the magnetized member or of a magnetic material. The invention includes such articles including a magnetized member for retaining such articles on the surface.

The magnetized member is typically a small, square member which is shaped to fit into a small, square receptacle closely so that there is little movement of the article once the magnetized member is in place. While square, magnetized members are preferred, it should be understood that the magnetized member and the receptacle can be of substantially any circular or non-circular mating shape. Non-circular shapes are preferred because it is preferred that the article not be rotatable in position on the front plate of the buckle. The non-rotation can be achieved by the use of substantially any shape other than a circular shape. In other words, with ovals, rectangles, squares, triangles, stars and the like the magnetized member cannot be rotated. While, as indicated, it is preferred that the member be square or at least rectangular, it is considered to be more desirable to use the square members. This is preferred partly because it is more convenient to produce the bevel on the receptacle by use of, for instance, a drill or the like with a square than with other shapes.

While the dimensions given for the receptacle, the bevel and the thickness of the backing member and the plate are within the ranges typically used, it is respectfully pointed out that there is little limitation on these ranges beyond the practical limitations resulting from the production of the belt. For instance, when a stainless steel is used to fabricate plate 12, it is typically possible to conveniently produce plate 12 of a lesser thickness than when a cast material is used. In any event, so long as a magnetic backing or plate is used, the buckle of the present invention is effective to accept and hold articles which are affixed to a magnetized member adapted to closely fit into a receptacle in plate 12.

In FIG. 8, a front view is shown of a buckle which includes two receptacles 34 and 34′. In some instances, it may be desirable to have two receptacles to receive two magnetized members attached to an article to prevent rotational movement of the article on the front of the belt or to hold two or more objects. While two receptacles have been shown, it should be understood that more could be used if desired. Preferably, one receptacle with one magnetized member is sufficient but if it is desired that there be no or little rotation of a member on the front of the buckle, then two or more receptacles could be used with two or more magnetized members.

In FIG. 9 plate 12 is shown bearing a professional bottle opener 78 of a configuration widely used by bartenders and the like. This bottle opener is approximately 7 inches in length and about 1.5 to about 1.75 inches wide. the bottle opener includes an opener 80 and a ring 82. This embodiment includes an article borne on the face of plate. 12 which is considerably wider than plate 12. Such variations are well within the scope of the present invention. In FIG. 10, plate 12 bears on its face a different configuration of bottle opener 78 having an opener 80 but with a specific shape. This article is also somewhat larger than the surface of plate 12 but is readily stored and retrieved from the face of plate 12.

Alternatively the articles could be held on the face of plate 12 by the use of adhesive patches of a material such as hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro (trademark of Velcro, Inc.). The use of such fasteners is also effective to maintain articles in position on plate 12 if desired. Articles could also include a non-magnetized fitting adapted to engage a receptacle on the plate by friction, twisting or the like.

Other articles of apparel and other household, auto or outdoor items with which the invention is useful include bracelets, clips, watches, necklaces, strong ties, shoe buckles, earrings, other body rings, glasses frames, pins, and the like. The present invention is useful to place small articles on any item of apparel or other article which contains a receptacle for the magnet. This permits the substitution of ornamental objects for other ornamental objects and the like. Useful small articles may also be so retained and changed.

While the invention has been primarily discussed with respect to a belt buckle with further descriptions of use of the present invention to connect other articles to plates on other items of apparel and the like, it should be understood that in all instances with the present invention the plate comprising the front of the belt buckle or the plate on the alternate item of apparel or household, auto or outdoor items may contain either the magnetized member or the receptacle. In other words, the belt may contain either a receptacle or a magnetized member formed to matingly engage a receptacle on an attached article. Similarly the attachment of articles to bracelets, watches, necklaces, string ties, shoe buckles, earrings, glasses frames, tins and the like may also be accomplished by positioning the magnetized member on the articles for mating engagement with a receptacle on the item to be positioned on the articles.

The discussion of the invention has been relatively complete with respect to the discussion of the magnetized member positioned on the attached article, but it should be understood that the invention is not so limited and that the magnetized member can be attached to the article which receives the attachment by positioning the magnetized member on the article, i.e., the belt or an article with a receptacle for the magnetized member in the article.

While the present invention has been described by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is pointed out that the embodiments described are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that many variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. 

1. A buckle comprising: a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; b) a connector for connecting a first end of a belt to the first end of or the back of the plate near the first end of the plate; c) a retainer for connecting a second end of a belt to the plate and positioned on the back of the plate near the second end of the plate; and, d) at least one receptacle positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive at least one magnetized member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate.
 2. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the plate is curved to fit the body contour of wearers.
 3. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the central section of the plate is an area centrally positioned and having a top edge and a bottom edge separated by a distance up to about sixty percent of the width of the plate and having a first side edge and a second side edge separated by a distance up to about sixty percent of the length of the plate.
 4. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a loop contained in a receptacle on the back of the plate and configured to connect a belt to the back of the plate.
 5. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the retainer comprises a hook or a clip configured to engage a hole or a loop configured to engage the hole or the loop.
 6. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the plate comprises a magnetic material.
 7. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises a non-circular opening.
 8. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the opening extends through the plate.
 9. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the opening is square or rectangular.
 10. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the magnetized member is configured and sized to fit closely and non-rotatably in the receptacle.
 11. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the plate comprises a metallic front plate jointed to a magnetic metal rear plate.
 12. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the magnetized member is configured and sized to fit closely and non-rotatably in the receptacle.
 13. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises an opening having walls perpendicular to the surface of the plate.
 14. The buckle of claim 13 wherein the walls are beveled at the surface of the plate to facilitate insertion of the magnetized member into the receptacle.
 15. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the article comprises a utility object, or an ornamental object.
 16. The buckle of claim 1 wherein the magnetized member is connected to a swivel to enable rotary movement of an article supported on the front of the plate by the magnetized member.
 17. The buckle of claim 1 wherein a plurality of receptacles and magnetized members are used.
 18. An article of apparel comprising: a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; and, b) at least one connector positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive at least one second magnetic connector member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate.
 19. A buckle comprising: a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; b) a connector for connecting a first end of a belt to the first end of or the back of the plate near the first end of the plate; c) a retainer for connecting a second end of a belt to the plate and positioned on the back of the plate near the second end of the plate; and, d) at least one receptacle in the plate and sized to receive at least one magnetized member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate and positioned in the central section of the plate.
 20. An article of apparel comprising: a) a plate having a first end, a second end, a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a width, a length and a central section; and, b) at least one magnetic connector member connected to an article to be supported on the front of the plate and positioned in the central section of the plate and sized to receive said connector. 